A Message from Pediatrics 5280: COVID Information

Posted on January 7 2022 by Pediatrics 5280

We Need Your Help!

We know these are stressful times, so we have put together a guide to answer the most common COVID questions.  If you have questions regarding routine COVID testing, isolation or quarantine, please take a moment to read the information below. If you still have questions, then please feel free to reach out via MyChart or phone. Guidelines are continually evolving, and we will update this information as guidelines are updated. Last updated 12/07/22. 

It is our honor to take care of your family, thank you for helping us provide the best care we can.

COVID Testing:

  • If your child has symptoms of COVID (cough, congestion, runny nose, sore throat, fever, etc), please get your child tested.
  • We do not have the ability to test for COVID in our office. You may complete a home COVID test, or test at a community PCR testing site if PCR test is needed.
  • Rapid antigen tests – these tests are generally less accurate than PCR tests, but may be the only testing available.  A positive rapid test does not need a confirmatory PCR test. If your rapid test is positive, you have COVID.  If you have symptoms and your rapid test is negative, ideally repeat a rapid test in 24 hours.  2 negative rapid tests 24 hours apart is the next best testing behind a PCR test, if PCR testing is not possible.
  • PCR testing is available throughout the community but may have longer wait times. Please do not go to the emergency room just for COVID testing if there is not an otherwise urgent medical need.
  • If you have symptoms of COVID or close exposure and have a PCR test pending, please stay home until your test results are available.

Positive COVID Test:

  • If your child tests positive for COVID (rapid or PCR test), they need to isolate at home.
  • The most conservative isolation guidelines are to isolate at home for 10 days after symptom onset or from the day of the positive test for those who are asymptomatic.
  • Many school districts have adopted less conservative isolation measures based on newer CDC guidelines:
    • Isolate at home for 5 days
    • May return to school on day 6 if your child has no symptoms, but must be able to wear a mask at all times for days 6-10
    • Children who are too young to be masked or to wear a mask reliably should isolate for the full 10 days at home
  • Please contact your school, check your district website, or check with your daycare facility for their isolation/testing requirements
  • Most children have mild symptoms with COVID and will not require medical attention.  Can treat supportively at home like other viral illness. Please contact our office if you have concerns about:
    • Dehydration – not drinking well and not having 3-4 wet diapers/urine in 24 hours
    • Breathing – child is breathing faster/harder than usual, notice skin sucking in around their ribs or collar bones, or the child is having trouble breathing
    • Altered Mental Status – child is “not acting right”, overly sleepy or overly irritable
    • Fever lasting more than 72 hours

Quarantine:

  • Similar to isolation guidelines, the CDC still recommends a 10 day quarantine for children in school/daycare. However, many school districts have adopted the less conservative guidelines outlined below. Please check with your school or daycare for protocols.
  • For Household Contacts: if someone in your family tests positive for COVID, do your best to isolate them away from the rest of the family.
    • If your child is fully vaccinated (including booster for those who are eligible), and no symptoms, they may continue to attend school/work.
      • Testing on day 5 is recommended (PCR testing preferred if no symptoms)
      • If your child develops symptoms, they should stay home and get tested
    • If your child is not vaccinated, or has not yet received their booster dose, they need to quarantine at home.
      • Quarantine at home for 5 days
      • Testing on day 5 is recommended (PCR testing preferred if no symptoms)
      • If your child develops symptoms, they should stay home and get tested
      • If negative test on day 5 and no symptoms, may return to school on day 6, but must be able to wear a mask at all times for days 6-10
      • Children who are too young to be masked or to wear a mask reliably should quarantine for the full 10 days at home
    • If you are unable to isolate the positive family member away from the rest of the family, your child’s quarantine period starts after the positive person has completed their isolation
      • For example, if a parent is positive for COVID and needs to care for younger children, the parent should complete 5 days of isolation and then must wear a mask at home at all times for an additional 5 days.
      • The child’s quarantine period starts after the initial 5 day isolation, or longer if the parent is unable to wear a mask at home
  • For school or community COVID contact/exposures:
    • If your child is fully vaccinated (including booster), and no symptoms, they may continue to attend school/work but must wear a mask at all times for 10 days
      • Testing on day 5 is recommended (PCR testing preferred if no symptoms)
      • If your child develops symptoms, they should stay home and get tested
    • If your child is not vaccinated, they need to quarantine at home
      • Quarantine at home for 5 days
      • Testing on day 5 is recommended (PCR testing preferred if no symptoms)
      • If your child develops symptoms, they should stay home and get tested
      • May return to school on day 6, but must be able to wear a mask at all times for days 6-10
      • Children who are too young to be masked or to wear a mask reliably should quarantine for the full 10 days at home

COVID Vaccines:

  • See COVID vaccine scheduling website page for up to date information.
  • COVID vaccines and booster doses can be scheduled in our office through MyChart, see our website for scheduling link and instructions.